Brendan Smith (Cavan-Monaghan, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

For considerable time I have been raising, through correspondence to the Department and parliamentary questions, the need to progress the proposed building project for the Holy Family special school in Cootehill. It is extremely important that the project to provide additional permanent accommodation should be progressed without further delay. I am privileged to be very familiar with this school, having visited the premises for different events on numerous occasions. I appreciate the work of Rachel Moynagh, the principal and all her staff, colleagues, successive boards of management and parents' associations. There is a real school community for the Holy Family. This project has the support of all Oireachtas Members and county councillors throughout Cavan-Monaghan.

For some time the Department has accepted this major building project for the Holy Family school is a priority to progress to tender and construction stage. The project was authorised to proceed to complete stage 2B of architectural planning on 31 January 2017. The initial feasibility study for this new school accommodation was carried out in 2002 and the design team was appointed in 2006. For various reasons delays have occurred. Increased enrolments and changes to the schedules of accommodation were some of the reasons cited at the time for delays occurring in the early stages of the planning process. It was back to the drawing board on a number of occasions. Very importantly, since 2002, the school population has doubled in size and school facilities are totally inadequate to meet the needs of the pupils. Currently the school is on two sites and the pupils attending the White Star complex in Market Street in the town lose considerable time when they go to the main building for lunch.

They must travel by bus. Lack of space in both buildings is a major issue. For example, one class is in the PE storeroom and includes four wheelchair users.

The board of management does not want to have to introduce waiting lists for the first time in the school's history. It is the only such school in Cavan-Monaghan. If it is not possible to accommodate all children who need to attend the Holy Family Special School, serious problems will arise for those with moderate, severe and-or profound disabilities in counties Cavan and Monaghan. Children who need to attend this school must not be deprived of that opportunity.

Over the years, successive parents associations and boards of management have been supportive of the principal and staff in fund-raising for the school and participating in numerous events and activities involving all of the school community. The board and its professional advisers are anxious that the Minister and his Department should permit it without further delay to start the pre-qualification of contractors and let construction commence during 2017.

Regarding the growth in enrolments, there were 14 school leavers in the 2015-16 year whereas there were 34 school admissions. This school was started more than 50 years ago. One of our predecessors in the House, Dr. Rory O'Hanlon, was one of its founding members. It is important that the Minister gives the go ahead to ensure that construction commences during 2017. The school sought and was granted planning permission last year for temporary accommodation that would enable it to move site this summer so that construction could start on the main site before the end of the year. The board of management, the parents' association and the wider school community are frustrated by the delays. It is important that the requisite approval be issued at the earliest possible date.

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